High and mighty Coventry Blaze have secured the services of former National Hockey League player Ron Shudra for next season.

As a young player he iced alongside Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest player the game has ever seen.

The versatile 34-year-old forms the final piece in coach Paul Thompson's defensive jigsaw, where he line up alongside Andreas Moborg, Mathias Soderstrom and Steve Carpenter.

Thompson said: "Ron's just what we need. He has great experience, great skill and has a great shot. He will add to our defence and score us some points as well."

Shudra spent most of the 1990s playing for Sheffield Steelers after a season with Solihull Barons. After spells with Hull Thunder and a few games for Edinburgh Capitals, he showed his versatility when called back into the Steelers line-up last season.

He said: "They went down to having about eight fit players, and I played left wing, right wing, centre and defence.

"I don't really have a preferred position: you can control the game more from being in defence or in the centre."

Fans lauded his contribution as Sheffield won the play-offs, and he is looking to bring some silverware to Coventry.

"I know a few people behind the scenes there, but don't know much about the club.

"I've played against a few players and I was with Tom Watkins at Hull.

"In a way it's harder for an import to play in the FBNL than the Superleague. In the Superleague you are brought in with 16 other guys to play a particular role.

"In the FBNL more is expected of you as an import. You have to produce more on the ice, and help with juniors, help off the ice, and I'm looking forward to that."